Slowed reaction time in HIV-1-infected patients without AIDS.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate if HIV-1-infected patients without acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have cerebral dysfunction as reflected by impaired reaction times compared to patients with chronic hepatitis C.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Forty-one HIV-1-infected patients not fulfilling the AIDS criteria, were tested with three reaction time tests and compared to controls with chronic hepatitis C, matched according to gender and age.

RESULTS

HIV-1-infected individuals had, in mean, 5-47 ms longer reaction time than patients with hepatitis C (statistically significant in two of three tests). All but 9 HIV-1-infected individuals had, however, reaction times within the normal range defined by the control group (mean +/- 2 SD). No correlation was found between reaction time and immune status measured as CD4-cell count.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that a subgroup of HIV-1-infected individuals have slower reaction time compatible with cerebral deterioration early in the course of the infection.